Halloween 4 (1988)

Typically considered by most fans, including myself, to be the best of the Halloween sequels, The Return of Michael Myers manages to do just about everything right a film in it's position can do. After the fairly lackluster sequel and Big Mike going MIA in part three it was now or never to bring The Shape back to life while he was still fresh in the minds of audiences. I'm sure the success of the Elm Street and Friday the 13th series also had something to do with it, for we all know $ talks, right? However (bullshit walks), I really have to applaud Moustaphha Akkad and director Dwight H. Little for pulling off a decent movie and for paying homage to Carpenter and the first film by going "old school" on our asses and serving up a fairly atmospheric and subtle film, while mixing in, of course, some modern day gore and violence.

Upon being transferred to a new hospital, a now comatose Michael Myers springs to life and makes his return on Halloween to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. Apparently Big Mike he has a little niece named Jamie he must "visit" in his own special , caring way. Or....maybe not. Dr. Loomis is back to track the big guy down as always, uttering the usual lines of "evil" and "this isn't a man" we all know and love. Throw in some disposable teenagers, a respectful nod to the original in terms of atmosphere and craftsmanship, and a truly decent sequel you have. Wow, when was the last time that was said?

The Return of Michael Myers is simply my favorite film in the series right after the original, and one of my favorite horror films of all time. Not because it's a truly great film, horror or otherwise, but it's one of those rare occasions where everything just seems to work, and, really, the odds were sorta against that. After all, this one could have been a straight cash in, with no care about Carpenter's classic involved. Simply a straightforward slasher cash in to ride on the success of Freddy/Jason and the like. Make a shitty movie, rip off the fans, and be done with it. Thankfully, this wasn't the case.

Return works on the main level that it is a throwback to the original, in sense of style and suspense. Kudos to director Dwight Little for keeping Carpenter's vision intact, and creating a film full of shadow, darkness, and plenty of Halloween atmosphere. This one probably has the best "Halloween" vibe out of the entire series...it just feels like it's Oct. 31st, you know? One of the best examples of the movie capturing this mood is shown right in the opening credits, as we get some cool, creepy images of Halloween decorations strewn about the rural countryside. Simply those images alone, with the sound of the wind and an ominous low throbbing on the soundtrack gives the viewer a sense of impending dread, and sets the tone perfectly. While the film itself was shot in April, the rainy, foggy, leaf strewn alley ways and streets simply beg for Michael to stalk them, and the seasonal vibe is perfect in this film. While most horror films were going the "big fx" route at the time, Return really does KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) with mixing subtle nuances of horror and imagery with a couple "updated" fx sequences. I think this appreciation of the original is what most fans respected about this sequel and personally, I agree.

Story wise, things are fairly decent. Jamie Lee's character of Lauri Strode is now dead, and her ten year old daughter Jamie now inherits Michael's fixation. We don't get much back-story as to exactly why Mike wants to off his bloodline, we just know that he does and that's that. Little Jamie is played by Danielle Harris, and if I've ever made a more shocking statement on the Apocalypse, I stand corrected on the following. For once, this is a child actor that did not annoy me. Wow. Harris just has such a grown up vibe to her it's almost uncanny. Terrific acting skills for such a little girl and perfect for the role. Of course, Donald "The Man" Pleasance is back and unlike his tired appearances in parts five and six, the character of Dr. Loomis still feels fun and fresh for him to play. My favorite scene of Loomis has him traveling the road with an old preacher man as the two discuss how they are hunting "it", in other words, pure evil. Good stuff. As for the rest of the cast, everything is alright. The teens aren't to unlikable, unlike most of the disposable characters in the Friday and Elm Street flicks. Ellie Cornell's character of Rachel Carruthers, Jamie's older step-sister, is usually a fan favorite, and play's the Jamie Lee/heroine character of the film. She's also pretty foxy in a girl next door kind of way, so that's always a plus as well. So, how about the main man then?

Return's Michael Myer's is probably my favorite Michael of the entire series. Actor George Wilbur brings a rather resounding size and presence to the role, and I dug the mask, costume, everything. In the scene where Mike is slooowly walking up the staircase to attack Rachel and Brady, he almost looks, well, esteemed or something. Michael utilizes the big knife as only he can, though we do get a nifty shotgun through the back, thumbs in the head, the trusty old face crushing, and the like. Mike's back and he means business. And, yes, I felt sorry for him at the end as I usually do. You'll be back Mikey, I know you will.

A personal favorite and film that turned out much better than it really should have, Return is required viewing for me every October. It's paced well, pays homage to the original and has carved out it's on little niche in the franchise as probably the second best in the series, and rightfully so.